Jason Brenneman’s letter criticized Jim Woodward for meeting with women concerned about the loss of our OB/GYNs.

It is lazy to assume when Woodward speaks to a room of prospective constituents, he agrees with everyone. He listened. Jim demonstrated responsibility and courage. I respect that.

He is a Republican. He’s also a thoughtful citizen who cares about the quality of life in District 1 and people who don’t agree with him. He is willing to step up and represent us. That’s what representative democracy was intended to be. Every citizen should be heard.

With the Republican’s supermajority, the party’s been taken over and fallen into bad behavior. Legislators don’t represent most of the people of District 1. Loyalty oaths consolidating power to central committees? Deep-pocketed organizations instructing legislators on how to vote? These are the hallmarks of authoritarianism, not democracy.

Good government requires a balance of perspectives to make good, enduring decisions. We need healthy debate and thoughtful leadership in Boise. That’s why I am running for the House of Representatives as a Democrat. That’s why I support open primaries. We need to quit handing our power over to a super majority with an agenda that doesn’t serve our communities.

KATHRYN LARSON

Sagle